2006 WJC: Q&A with Luc Bourdon

By Matt MacInnis

December 29th, 2005

The Vancouver Canucks used their tenth overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft to select Luc Bourdon, a native of Shippigan, New Brunswick. The defenseman is currently playing with Val-d’Or of the QMJHL, although that could change in the next month as his name has frequently come up in trade rumors, with Moncton and Acadie-Bathurst among the teams who have been considered most interested, although the Moncton rumors have recently quieted.

Bourdon is a big and physical defender who has good size at 6’3, 205 lbs and strong skating. He reads the play well as it develops at both ends of the rink and has good decision making. In the QMJHL he has a tendency to try to do too much by himself and get caught running around from time to time. He has also appeared complacent at times in the QMJHL, possibly a sign of disappointment from not making the Canucks out of camp.

Bourdon is currently playing for Canada at the World Junior Championships, where the team is 2-0 after wins over Finland and Switzerland. Bourdon has been among the leaders on the team in minutes played, playing in all situations. Although it is important to note that six of the team’s defenders are logging big minutes, as Sasha Pokulok (WSH) is yet to play.

Bourdon spoke to Hockey’s Future after Canada squeaked out a 4-3 over a hard-working Swiss team. Canada’s next game is December 29 at 4 pm Pacific time against Norway.

HF: What was it like to step on the ice a few nights ago for your first game?

LB: I think it was pretty interesting, the chemistry was there. I think we played a great game against the Finns, but tonight I think we kind of fell flat.

HF: What did you think of the crowd?

LB: It was great. Two games were sold out, it’s great, the fan support for that.

HF: Did Coach Sutter give the team a good screaming after tonight’s poor performance against Switzerland?

LB: Not really. Sometimes this thing happens. But like I said, we just have to come out strong tomorrow and win.

HF: You are the most physical defenseman on this year’s Team Canada. Do you feel any pressure to fill the void left by Dion Phaneuf?

LB: Well I think that’s my main role. But I guess I don’t try to copy the style of another player, I just want to win.

HF: Two of the Canucks top four defensemen were players they drafted in the top ten of their draft years. Do you think you will be able to live up to the success of Mattias Ohlund and Bryan Allen?

LB: I hope so, hopefully. I have great experience this year and hopefully next year I get my chance.

HF: Is this year’s World Junior tournament extra special to you because you are playing in the city of the team that drafted you in front of their fans?

LB: Yeah, sure, it’s great. To come back here and have the chance to play in front of those great fans and to come back is just a great experience.

HF: You had an outstanding training camp and some observers thought you were the fifth or sixth best defenseman in camp. Was it predetermined that you would return to Val-d’Or after training camp or did you have a real chance to make the team?

LB: At first I think I just wanted to go there and have a good experience, but as camp was going I think I started to believe my chances. I’m just going to work hard this summer and come back next year.

HF: Where do you think you’ll be playing next season?

LB: Well I can’t say. Like I said, I have no control over that. I can just have a good summer of training, just work hard and hope to make it next year.

HF: What do you do for offseason training?

LB: Like I always do, I think I’m going to spend two, two or three weeks in my home place in New Brunswick. After I’ll move up, I’ll move up to Montreal to wait for my personal trainer.

HF: There are a lot of trade talks in the QMJHL right now. Do you have any indication of where you may end up?

LB: I can’t say right now, but there are a lot of talks. I have no control of that again, so I’ll just have to wait, we’ll see what happens.

Copyright 2005 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.